From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fw: New Report: The Dirty Truth About Coal
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:24:29 -0400


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007

Contact:
Virginia Cramer, 202-675-6279
David Willett, 202-675-6698



                         The Dirty Truth About Coal
New Sierra Club Report Details Real Life Impacts of Our Dependence on Coal

In a new report released today, the Sierra Club documents the devastating
impacts of our nation's dependence on coal. The report, The Dirty Truth
About Coal: Why Yesterday's Technology Should Not Be Part of Tomorrow's
Energy Future, details the serious societal, economic and environmental
tolls of coal.

A copy of the report can be found on-line at
http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/dirtytruth/report

"The coal industry marketing machine is working overtime to convince
Americans that coal is the magic solution to our energy needs," said Alice
McKeown, coal specialist for the Sierra Club.  "With its multi-million
dollar advertising campaigns the industry is presenting a new, 'clean'
image. Unfortunately the change is only skin deep. Despite claims of 'clean
coal' and 'carbon free' coal, the old, dirty practices of the coal industry
haven't changed."

From the time it is mined to when it is burned in over 500 power plants
nationwide, coal leaves a path of pollution and destruction in its wake
that  damages public health, tears up the land, pollutes our waters,
devastates communities and makes global warming worse.

"Coal is one of the dirtiest, least efficient sources of energy available,"
said Sierra Club energy program director Dave Hamilton. "Fortunately we
don't have to continue sacrificing our health and communities to meet our
energy needs; we have better, cleaner options."

We have the technology and the know-how to meet our energy needs while
improving public health, creating jobs, and reducing our global warming
emissions. Investing in efficiency and clean energy could create thousands
of new, good-paying jobs across the country and contribute millions to our
economy.

"As this report shows, coal that is not mined responsibly or burned cleanly
so as not to contribute to air pollution and global warming is a bad
investment," said McKeown. "It's time to look beneath the façade and see
the true cost of our dependence on coal."

The world's scientists agree: Global warming is real, here and happening
faster than anyone predicted. But scientists also say we can curb global
warming and its consequences --if we take bold, comprehensive action now
that add up to an 80 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050. That's a
do-able 2% percent cut a year, each year starting in 2007. Cutting
emissions 2% a year will enable us to build a cleaner, smarter and safer
energy future and stronger economy, to meet and overcome the most urgent
challenge facing us, to protect our children and theirs. But to reach our
goal means we must start right now to make different, better decisions
about the energy we use at home, at work and as a nation.

A copy of the report can be found on-line at
www.sierraclub.org/coal/dirtytruth/report

###


David Willett
National Press Secretary
Sierra Club
(202) 675-6698 (w)
(202) 491-6919 (m)
[log in to unmask]
www.sierraclub.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp